This cant be serious.

[Penthea]

Where is the money going? Cuz I'd be miffed if my sub paid for a movie I'm not interested in.

And where do you think the money for XIV came from? Thin air? It came from other projects SE created. Using money generated from one project to fund another is standard. Get used to it. It happens constantly in every industry.

it seems like soken is the only person actually working.

Someone didn't watch the background artists panel or the trailer.

But I dont see the returns for how much money ffxiv makes.

Just because you don't like the content that is being created doesn't mean it costs no money to create it. If you dislike what is happening that much then vote with your wallet.